Rail freight line to open to North River on Wednesday

The first six-mile section of the 30-mile freight line from North Creek to the Tahawus mines will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the North Creek station, with a special train carrying officials along the line to North River, said the line’s operator, Saratoga and North Creek Railway.

The one-hour train ride will mark the first time the line has seen train service since 1989. But if all goes according to plan, freight trains next year will begin hauling tailings from the closed mine and perhaps other cargo as well.

Saratoga and North Creek Railway, a unit of Chicago-based Iowa Pacific Holdings, began operating passenger trains along the route between Saratoga Springs and North Creek since last summer, and this summer introduced daily train service that connects with Amtrak at the Saratoga Springs station.

The so-called Sanford Lake branch from North Creek to Tahawus passes the Barton garnet mining operation in North River, and the railroad is talking with Barton about shipping its garnet, which is used in abrasives and other applications.

The railroad also hopes to line up other freight customers along the route.

The rock-carrying operation from Tahawus is expected to create about 20 jobs.